Elevate Your Art with Acrylic Markers!

Last Updated: April 4, 2025

If you're a painter, journaler, paper crafter, or mixed media enthusiast, there’s one tool you need in your creative arsenal: acrylic paint markers. These vibrant, incredibly versatile tools offer the precision of a pen with the boldness of paint—and artists love them for all sorts of projects, be it for coloring, mixed media, or even for creating painting-like projects! 

Acrylic markers give you that pop of pigment, smooth application, and opaque coverage that feels magical and satisfying. In this blog, we’ll discuss some key acrylic marker features along with project inspiration to get you started.

Learn How to Use Acrylic Markers for Faux Acrylic Painting!

What Makes Acrylic Art Special?

Acrylic paint markers are pens filled with fast-drying, water-based acrylic paint. They come in different nib sizes, from fine liners to chunky chisel tips—making them perfect for detail work and bold strokes. Once dry, the paint is permanent, waterproof, and fade-resistant, giving your work a long-lasting finish on almost any surface. 

A staged image of acrylic markers scattered across a table with art featuring different flowers on top of them.

Think of them as the bridge between traditional paint and drawing tools—with no brushes, palettes, or water cups needed. Let’s dive further into some of these features: 

Vibrant Color 

Color is one of the most important elements of an artwork, and if you’re looking for a tool that’ll help you achieve just that without worrying about muted colors, then acrylic markers are your best friend! Drawing one simple line will already bring you a gorgeous shade. If you’d like it a tad darker, you can always layer it with another stroke! 

A close-up image of a blue flower with green leaves and subtle white highlights made using acrylic markers.

Acrylic Marker 24 Color Set Vol. 2

Water-Based and Opaque Finish 

There are lots of benefits that come with water-based markers. Not only are they more affordable, but they are easy to maintain, great for blending, and even for replicating watercolor-like projects. You can enjoy these benefits along with a stunning opaque finish to complete your work with style. 

A flat lay image of acrylic marker swatches

Great for Use on a Variety of Surfaces

Markers are typically used on paper, but you don’t have to be limited to just those surfaces. Acrylic markers are permanent and can also be used on surfaces like wood, plastic, cardstock, and other types of specialty paper too! It’s okay to stick with what you know, but be sure to experiment with other surfaces to achieve different results as well. 

Best Acrylic Paint Marker Project Ideas

Ready to dive into acrylic art? Here are some ideas to get you inspired to create your own art with an acrylic marker set! Remember, these are just some of the many ways you can use these versatile markers. Discover what works for you and go from there! 

Scrapbooking and Journaling 

Lots of artists and paper crafters enjoy scrapbooking or designing their personal journals. A great way to add color and style is with acrylic markers. Use it to outline images, color backgrounds, create borders, and anything else you set your mind to! There’s nothing quite like having free rein over how to decorate your scrapbooks and journals to make them look unique.

A scrapbooking or memory-keeping layout featuring a picture of a young girl, a wax seal stamp, some enamel dots, and watercolor florals in the background made with acrylic markers

Coloring Pages 

Who says coloring is only for little kids? Adding color to an outlined image is a great source of happiness and relaxation. You don’t have to worry about anything aside from filling in the lines with the color combinations of your choice. Instead of using crayons or colored pencils, you can also do it with acrylic markers!  

A staged image of Altenew's coloring pages side-by-side with acrylic markers

Fine Art Projects 

Acrylic markers are an excellent choice for fine art techniques as well. Whether you enjoy drawing, sketching, or painting, you can color in your work with beautiful hues from an acrylic marker set. It can be as simple as subtle details and highlights, or it can also be what colors in your entire artwork! 

A flat lay image of an artist using acrylic markers to color in the image of a woman smiling

Abstract Designs

Art is a great way to express yourself, and acrylic markers can help you do just that. If you’re into creating squiggles, random shapes, and other abstract designs in your art, experiment with acrylic marker color families to complement those shapes! This is your chance to go crazy and see where your imagination takes you.

A staged image of a handmade card with abstract shapes, leafy outlines, sequins, and other gold embellishments along with an 'aren't you beautiful' sentiment

Acrylic Paint Markers Are the Game-Changer You Didn’t Know You Needed

Beginner artist or not, acrylic markers offer precision, pigment, and endless possibilities all in one handy set. It’s amazing for artists of all levels, regardless of what art style or medium you enjoy using. Once you get your first set, you’ll find that it’s an investment that keeps on giving! 

So, if you’re in need of new coloring mediums that look amazing, are incredibly versatile, and last a really long time, acrylic markers are the way to go. Feel free to give it a try and share with us how your projects ended up looking! 


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